Looking Back 5/18

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

60 years ago

SIKESTON - Lt. Olon Hitchcock, who served with the Army Air Forces for 31 months, with six months of that time spent overseas, received his final discharge from service at Jefferson Barracks, the first of the week. Lt. Hitchcock, the first reported Army release in Sikeston, had a total of 81 points to his credit.

40 years ago

SIKESTON - Several Southeast Missouri schools, including Sikeston, East Prairie and New Madrid, were listed today when President Johnson announced that plans have been made to give half a million poor children an educational "head start" this summer. The Head Start program is designed to prepare the disadvantaged children so they can hold their own with others when normal school starts in the fall. It combines administration efforts in the education and anti-poverty fields.

20 years ago

DEXTER - The Strawberry Court of 1985, chosen in Dexter on Saturday morning, was also featured during the Strawberry Festival parade in the afternoon. The annual contest for redheads was conducted for children between the ages of 3 and 6. Winners were Wesley Montgomery of Dexter, second runner-up; Norman Mikel Jr. of Bernie, first runner-up; Sarah Blocker of Bernie, queen; Jason Decker of Malden, king; Kristin Hobgood of Dexter, first runner-up and Brandy Morgan of Parma, second runner-up.

10 years ago

SIKESTON - Friends and family members were at the Sikeston Sports Complex Wednesday to honor Steve Taylor, this year's Honors Board inductee. Taylor has served on numerous boards including Little League and American Legion Baseball.

VANDUSER - Vanduser fire and rescue officials conducted a ground-breaking ceremony during the annual Vanduser Survivors Day festivities. The citizens of the town have been collecting funds for the 60-by 80-foot fire station from Survivors Day for the past nine years, since the tornadoes in 1986 demolished part of the town and the fire station. Attending the ground breaking were Mayor Karen Alberson; Mary Godwin, assistant fire chief and fire club president; Lonnie Hargrove, fire chief; and volunteer firemen Tony Johnson, Denies Author and B.T. Johnson.